Wednesday, December 9, 1914. 241 



Since the beginning of the year there has been a substantial 

 decline in the reported outbreaks of glanders. On the other 

 hand, there has been a slight increase in the outbreaks of 

 anthrax and sheep-scab, and an unprecedented increase in the 

 prevalence of swine fever. In certain selected areas the so-called 

 serum treatment is now being systematically tried by the Board 

 of Agriculture and Fisheries in dealing with the last-named 

 disease, only the visibly diseased animals being slaughtered, 

 while the remainder receive a subcutaneous injection of protec- 

 tive serum. A considerable experience will be necessary to 

 show whether this is a satisfactory procedure either from the 

 point of view of the owner or of the State. 



Twenty-four outbreaks (up to the 13th of November) of 

 foot-and-mouth disease have been reported since the beginning 

 of the year, the total number of animals attacked being 125. The 

 outbreaks were in the counties of Durham (1), Worcester (1), Car- 

 narvon (]), Lancaster (8), Lincolnshire (11), Kent (1), Northampton 

 (1). In all cases the outbreaks were promptly dealt with by 

 slaughter of the diseased animals and of all those exposed to 

 risk of contagion. 



A new Tuberculosis Order of the Board of Agriculture 

 which came into operation on the 1st of July contained some 

 important changes, especially with regard to valuation and com- 

 pensation, but owing to the outbreak of war the Order was 

 suspended as from the 6th of August. From the same date were 

 also suspended various sheep dipping Orders of local application, 

 and the parasitic mange Order, except with regard to the 

 prohibition to expose or move animals affected with the disease. 



A donation of Twenty-five Guineas was made by the 

 Society towards the funds of the Organising Committee of the 

 Tenth International Veterinary Congress which had been 

 arranged for this year. At the opening meeting held in London 

 early in the month of August it was found necessary, however, 

 to abandon the proposed Congress. 



As the result of the examination at the Royal Veterinary 

 College for the Society's Medals for proficiency in Cattle 

 Pathology, including the diseases of Cattle, Sheep and Pigs, the 

 Silver Medal has been awarded to Mr. H. H. Curson, of 41, West- 

 bere Road, West Hampstead, and the Bronze Medal to Mr. G. H. 

 Melck, of Berg River, Hopefield, Cape Colony. 



The Trustees of the 'Queen Victoria Gifts" Fund have 

 made a grant of £l40 for the year 1914 to the Royal Agricultural 

 Benevolent Institution, to be distributed as fourteen grants of 

 £lO each to the five male candidates, five married couples, and 

 four female candidates who polled the largest number of votes 

 in their class, and who would not this year receive grants from 

 any other fund in connection with the Royal Agricultural 

 Benevolent Institution. 



The Society's Gold Medal for Original Research in Agri- 

 culture is again offered under the Regulations printed below: 

 1. The Medal shall be called the Royal Agricultural Society of 

 England's Research Medal. 



